Providing a Maintenance Charge on a 12 Volt Battery for Truck Bed Mounted Sprayer Using an Isolator

Question:

I have a trailer with a sprayer unit on board. My trailer has a breakaway batttery for the breaking system and charges throught the 7 way plug in my tow vehicle. I was wondering if I could also charge the battery on spray unit that is used for the hose rewind. If so what do I need to accomplish this? Thanks

asked by: Anthony D

Expert Reply:

The wiring on the 7-Way will not be sufficient to charge the break away battery and another battery on your sprayer. Instead, you will need to make a separate connection from the vehicle battery to the sprayer battery.

You will need to use a battery isolator # PK5231201. Mounting it to the metal in the engine bay will ground it. Run a length of wire, # 10-1-1, from the positive battery terminal to one of the side posts on the isolator. Connect the center post (labeled 12V in the picture) to the ignition wire on the vehicle. Then, route a length of wire, # 10-1-1, from the remaining side post to the positive battery terminal on the battery in the sprayer. Using the isolator will prevent the vehicle battery from draining.

Using this wiring method will provide a maintenance charge to the battery, but it will not charge a dead battery. As long as the battery is in good working order, wiring it this way will maintain it but I recommend an external charger like # CTEK56353, to both charge and recondition your 12 volt batteries. I have included a link to the installation details and a video review for reference.

expert reply by: Michael H